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Going Bald to Support Childhood Cancer

In two days, 90 people will gather in Dallas and shave their heads. One of those people will be Jaimie Morrison, lead event organizer for Trinity Hall’s 10th Annual St. Baldrick’s Day. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a childhood cancer charity that funds research and has granted nearly $500,000 in funds to UT Southwestern for the purpose of childhood cancer research. These funds have primarily been used for fellowship salary support, palliative care research and rhabdomyosarcoma research.

Head-shaving events are the primary source of funding for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Participants voluntarily shave their heads at the events and encourage family and friends to donate funds to the foundation. The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s supports the event, and employees take part in it each year.

For Jaimie and Kathy Morrison, the cause of the event hit close to home eight years ago. Their son, Keegan, was diagnosed with a brain tumor at Children’s at 4 months old. One of Keegan’s doctors in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders came in with a shaved head one day, and the idea was planted in Jaimie’s mind to start shaving his head in honor of his son. Not only did Jaimie decide to participate in the event, but he and Kathy have become an integral part of organizing it.

“Keegan passed away at 7 ½ months old, and since he can’t continue fighting anymore, it’s our way to still fight for him,” said Kathy.

Kathy serves as the lead treasurer and Jaimie is the lead event organizer. They have a wide range of roles from handling the raffle money to contacting and organizing the participants’ schedules to soliciting raffle prizes and more. But Kathy says the highlight of the event is watching the Children’s patients shave their doctors’ heads.

“I always try not to miss it when the kids take the clippers and swipe the first chunk of hair from their doctor’s head,” said Kathy.

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About Heather Elise Duge

Heather Elise Duge is a freelance writer and native Dallasite who enjoys writing all types of stories, especially those featuring the heroes of the hospital – the children. In October 2013, Heather and her husband, Richard, joyfully welcomed their first child, EllieKate. Heather looks forward to sharing lessons learned as she navigates through this new chapter in her life as a mommy.

One Response to Going Bald to Support Childhood Cancer

Great story about a very sweet couple who honor their son’s legacy with hard work that will benefit more than we will ever know.
I am so proud of all the doctors, nurses, researchers, patients, friends and family who dedicate their locks to raise money for childhood cancer research – one that they CANNOT nor their loved ones soon forget. Hair takes time.